as in ecclesiastic
of or relating to a church
ecclesiastical laws that have been in existence for centuries
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Recent Examples of ecclesiastical
Hailing from Marinduque Island is the Moriones Festival, one of the oldest and most revered ecclesiastical festivities in the Philippines.
—
Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Determining the exact date of the holiday has a long history and is complicated by the difference between the precise astronomical calendar and the ecclesiastical calendar, which was produced centuries ago.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
The overall result is a series of spaces that explore themes rooted in ecclesiastical pageantry, and the power that’s conveyed through the clothing and visual arts of a monarch or empire.
—Laurie Brookins, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
In The Corner That Held Them, rarely does desire raise its head as the nuns busy themselves with dishonest bishops, honest con men, collapsing spires, inconclusive visions, ecclesiastical intrigues, catty infighting, attempts at levitation, and the plague.
—Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ecclesiastical
Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Determining the exact date of the holiday has a long history and is complicated by the difference between the precise astronomical calendar and the ecclesiastical calendar, which was produced centuries ago.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
The overall result is a series of spaces that explore themes rooted in ecclesiastical pageantry, and the power that’s conveyed through the clothing and visual arts of a monarch or empire.
—Laurie Brookins, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
In The Corner That Held Them, rarely does desire raise its head as the nuns busy themselves with dishonest bishops, honest con men, collapsing spires, inconclusive visions, ecclesiastical intrigues, catty infighting, attempts at levitation, and the plague.
—Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ecclesiastical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ecclesiastical
Adjective
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Waugh was based for many years in a grand house in nearby Combe Florey and adapted this local ecclesiastic landmark for fictional purposes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Feb. 2026
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Think of it like an ecclesiastic LinkedIn.—
Jack Murtagh,
Scientific American,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Tobolowsky previously rejected motions from other Gateway elders, ruling that the suit was not a religious issue and could be handled in secular court.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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Officials in these countries have argued that the Brotherhood operates through a mix of religious outreach, political activism, charitable organizations and media platforms to influence public opinion and challenge state authority.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Leo's events in Monaco were marked by all the usual protocol and pomp of a papal tour abroad.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
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Monaco — The leaders of the world’s two smallest states came together on Saturday, as Pope Leo XIV made history with the first papal visit to Monaco in modern times and called on its residents to share their wealth with those in need.—
Antonia Mortensen,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ecclesiastical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ecclesiastical. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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